What is required for valid consent under GDPR?

For consent to be considered valid under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), it must be clear, informed, and unambiguous. This means that individuals must receive sufficient information about the processing of their personal data, including the identity of the data controller, the purpose of the data processing, and any risks involved. The requirement for clarity ensures that individuals understand what they are consenting to, while the informed aspect emphasizes the need for transparency and comprehensiveness in the information provided. An unambiguous indication of consent is necessary, which implies that consent cannot be inferred from ambiguous actions or statements.

In practice, valid consent cannot be bundled with other consents or made as a condition for a service unless it is necessary for that service. This specificity and clarity are vital for empowering individuals and ensuring their control over personal data, which is central to the GDPR’s aims of protecting privacy rights.